Lake Mburo National park is located in western Uganda in Mbarara district, it is the smallest national park in Uganda and the closest park to the capital city of Uganda being Kampala.
Lake mburo national park remains the unique game park in all the other national park because of the features, size and location. Its approximately 240 square kilometers from Kampala and 30 kilometers from Mbarara city the biggest city in western Uganda.
The name lake Mburo national park dates backs on the story of two biological brothers ( mburo and Kigarama) who lived where the lake mburo is situated currently which was a low land of bahima pastrolists who used to graze their cattle’s. so the name lake mburo was derived from the touching story of the two legendary brothers who lived in this might savannah national park.
From Entebbe international airport to lake mburo national park, its approximately 290 kilometers, the park is shared by the four districts from western region, the districts include; mbarara, kiruhura, insigiro and lyatonde. It’s also well known to be the nearest national park to the president’s residence / home in kiruhura district. It takes only 2hour drive from Lake Mburo national park to the kiruhura district thus making 99km.
The park can be accessed by road 3hour drive from Kampala capital city along masaka-kabale- mbarara highway. The park was also gazzetted in 1993 controlled by the Obote regime and it was gazetted to control hunting areas within the game park and later it was upgraded to game reserve in 1963. The origin was occupied by the Banyankole- Bahima pastoralists who traditional herd Ankole cattle, and sill do.
Lake Mburo national park covers 370kilometer inn size and 350 birds and a home of 68 mammals. It is quite possible to get close to zebra, warthogs and the impalas, Rothschild, giraffe, elephants, topi, Buffaloes, water bucks, reedbucks and hippos. The landscape is of open plains, acacia grassland and marshes. Around the lake, it is thicker riverine woodland while much of the rest of the park is acacia woodland.
ACTIVITIES AT LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Game Drives; wildlife game drive in lake Mburo national park offers a chance to view different species. Game drive are the best experience in company of an experienced guide for safety purposes and to enjoy and to enjoy a wholesome experience. Animals in the savanna include; zebra, impala, hynes, buffoloes, elephants among others.
Nature walk; At lake Mburo national park, nature walks are also encouraged provided by professional tour guides. Such walks usually covers the salt lick whwre visitors will experience several wildlife games that are licking on the salty residues, during nature walks, birdspecies are spoted,mammals and the specular views of floral and fauna, the many lakes and of course wildlife games.
Spot fishing; At lake mburo national park, fishing is carried in and around the park, but lake mburo being the largest, attracts the biggest number of fishermen. Tourists are requested to acquire a fishing permit from Uganda wildlife Authority and also possess there fishing gears. Lake Mburo has six main fish types which include; Tilapia, mud fish, lung fish among others.
Bicycle tours; during bicycle tours experience, the tourists are always guided by professional guides who encourages bicycle tours as another adventurous means to explore the park and its surrounding areas. Along the bicycle trails, one should expect to see zebra, antelopes, and buffaloes among others.
Birdwatching; bird watching is another activity to enjoy at in the par. This park boats of approximately 250 species including; the African Grey, Hornbill, Nubian woodpecker, the rare white winged warble, the crested francolin and the thrilling among others. Uganda birding tours, take tourists to see the rare shoebill, harrier hawk, green pigeons, double toothed barbet, crested crane, saddle bill storks.
Boat cruise; during boat cruise, tourists are given chance to enjoy floral and fauna as well as several animals along the banks of the lake especially during dry session where hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and antelopes and buffaloes can be seen trying to rehydrate. Several birds species can also be seen during boat cruise.
Horseback Riding; lake mburo national park is the pioneer park in the country to incorporate horse riding among its activities on a horse. Horseback riding in Lake Mburo national park is one of the major highlighting of visiting this park. Take note that is often an arrangement with some of the lodges on site that have stables, for example mihingo lodge.
Cultural experience; The park authorities identified about 13 local community groups around the park who were trained about the eco-tourism and biodiversity and were empowered to make living out of the different projects they are involved in. Cultural tourism in Uganda is quite exciting. Visitors to this park have the opportunity to interact with the local communities and learn their cultural practices. Such communities include; Rwenjeru campsite, Ankole cultural centre, the Rwabarata drama group, which entertains through local dances and drama and entertainments from igongo cultural center.
Forest walks; The national park authorities can also arrange forest walk through Rubanga forests such walks are particullary for Birdwatches and nature lovers. Rubanga forest has more than 40 birds species and several trees, platy and acacia among others. This forest also hosts the elusive shoe bill stock, green pigeon and grey backed cameroptera among others. For one to hike in hid forests, they must first acquire special authorization from the warden.
How to access the park
ROAD
Lake Mburo national park can be accessed from Kampala –Mbarara road. There are 2 gates entrance. Nshara gate; Coming from Kampala, then run off 10km past the lyantode trading center to the park. The park is 8km along an unsealed track. Sanga gate: coming from Kampala, turn off left at sanga trading center, about 35km before mbarara town. It takes 4 hours drive on safari vehicle from kamapala or Entebbe town with over 230km from Kampala city.
AIR
Flights are available on request from Entebbe international Airport to Nyakasharira airstrip in mbarara town and they take one nour in the air to disembark at mbarara town.
Accommodation
LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS
- Kigambire safari lodge
- Emburara farm lodge
- Mantana Tented Camp
MID-RANGE LODGE
- Rwakobo Rock lodge
- Mburo safari lodge
- Arcadia Cottages lake mburo
BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
- Eagle Nest lake mburo
- Leopard rest camp
- Rwonyo Rest camp
Best time to visit Lake Mburo national park
The best time to visit lake Mburo national park would be in dry season that is; june, july and August and most especially end off December, January and most parts of February since it’s the general wildlife seasons viewing in the dryer seasons.
